Factors Influencing Home Births in the Krachi Nchumuru District in the Oti Region, Ghana: a Qualitative Study

Abstract

The rate of home births compared with health facility deliveries has severe implications for maternal and child health outcomes. In this paper, we explored the factors that influence home births in rural communities in the Krachi Nchumuru District of the Oti Region, Ghana. The paper used qualitative research methods involving in-depth interviews with fifteen women who gave birth at home and traditional birth attendants (TBA). Data were manually analysed using a thematic approach and the results presented in quotes. The findings show that costs associated with health facility delivery, sudden onset of labour period, the absence of health facility and personnel, unavailability of transportation, support and care services of the TBA and the opportunity for spiritual assistance and intervention were the key drivers of home delivery among women in the district. The study also shows home births have some negative effects on maternal and child health during and after labour such as malaria, fever, bleeding after circumcision and a rise in body temperature. Several contextual factors encourage home births among women in the Krachi Nchumuru District, Ghana. There is, therefore, the need to increase health facilities and personnel to provide skilled delivery care and improve the transportation infrastructure in the district.